A round table on “35 Years of the Commonwealth of Independent States: Outcomes and Prospects” took place on June 25, 2026, in St. Petersburg as part of the 14th St. Petersburg International Legal Forum.
The round table was moderated by CIS First Deputy Secretary-General Igor Petrishenko.
Opening the meeting, he noted that the event was taking place during a period of profound transformation in international relations, a reassessment of the role of international law, and a search for new models of sustainable interstate cooperation.
He also recalled that over this time, the Commonwealth has developed a unique legal space that serves as a solid foundation for sustainable interaction among states, the development of humanitarian ties and the protection of the interests of millions of citizens.
The round table was attended by heads of Commonwealth bodies, representatives of the judicial community, justice authorities, the scientific and educational sphere, the bar, notaries, mediators, human rights and anti-corruption institutions. This composition made it possible to examine integration issues comprehensively – from theory and rule-making to law enforcement practice.
The main speakers at the event included ministers of justice of the Commonwealth states, leadership of the CIS Economic Court, the Secretariat of the IPA CIS Council, basic organizations in the legal sphere, and members of the CIS Human Rights Commission.
The participants discussed the key areas for strengthening legal cooperation in the CIS. The central theme was the development of legal policy and the role of ministries of justice in shaping a unified legal space and the justice architecture of the future.